Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal has been implicated in a number of semi-related match-fixing scandals over the last two decades, some of which have been confirmed by FIFA investigators, and has been jailed multiple times. Before Cameroon's group stage match against Croatia, Perumal wrote on his Facebook page that there were "seven bad apples" on the team, and that Cameroon would lose 0-4 and have a player sent off in the first half. Both of those things happened.

In response to this and other allegations from Perumal, Fecafoot—Cameroon's soccer federation—has promised to investigate. From a statement issued yesterday:

Advertisement

"Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon vs. Croatia, as well of the "existence of seven bad apples" do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with Fifa Code of Conduct and the ethics of our nation.

"We wish to inform the general public that, though not yet contacted by Fifa in regards to this affair, our administration has already instructed its Ethics Committee, to further investigate these accusations."

So, take these match-fixing claims with a big huge pile of salt. If there's anyone who'd love an excuse to dismiss certain players, it's Fecafoot. And if there's anyone who'd want to head off a legitimate FIFA investigation into actual fraud, that's also Fecafoot.